
ROBKBT BeALL, 

Jkseller and Stationer, 
5 Pennsylvania Ave., 



THE CUP 



THE FALCON 



THE CUP 



AND 



THE FALCON 



BY 

ALFRED 
LORD TENNYSON 

POET LAUREATE 



Ifrfo fforh 

MACMILLAN AND CO 

1884 






48 6555 

JUL 2 4 1942 



THE CUP 



A TRAGEDY 



The Cup " was produced at the Lyceum Theatre, 
under the management of mr. henry irving, 
January 3, 1881, with the following cast : — 



GALATIANS. 

Synorix, an ex-Teirarch 
Sinnatus, a Tetrarch . 

Attendant . 
Boy . 
Maid 
Phozbe 

CAMMA,wife of Sinnatus, afterwards 
Priestess in the Temple of Artemis 



Mr. Henry Irving. 
Mr. Terris. 
Mr. Harwood. 
Miss Brown. 
Miss Harwood. 
Miss Pauncefort. 

Miss Ellen Terry. 



ROMANS. 

Antonius, a Roman General . Mr. Tyars. 

Publius ..... Mr. Hudson. 

Nobleman ..... Mr. Matheson. 

Messenger ..... Mr. Archer. 



ACT I. 

Scene I. — Distant Vieio of a City of Galatia. {Afternoon.) 
,, II. — A Room in the Tetrarcfts House. {Evening.) 
,, III. — Same as Scene I. {Dawn.) 



ACT II. 

Scene — Interior of the Temple of Artemis. 



THE CUP. 

ACT I. 

Scene I. — Distant View of a City of Galatia. 

As the curtain rises, Priestesses are heard singing in the 
Temple. Boy discovered on a pathway among Rocks, 
picking grapes. A party of Roman Soldiers, guarding 
a prisoner in chains, come down the pathway and exeunt. 

Enter Synorix {looking round). Singing ceases. 

Synorix. 
Pine, beech and plane, oak, walnut, apricot, 
Vine, cypress, poplar, myrtle, bowering-in 
The city where she dwells. She past me here 



4 THE CUP. [act i. 

Three years ago when I was flying from 

My Tetrarchy to Rome. I almost touch'd her — 

A maiden slowly moving on to music 

Among her maidens to this Temple — O Gods ! 

She is my fate — else wherefore has my fate 

Brought me again to her own city ?— married 

Since — married Sinnatus, the Tetrarch here — 

But if he be conspirator, Rome will chain, 

Or slay him. I may trust to gain her then 

When I shall have my tetrarchy restored 

By Rome, our mistress, grateful that I show'd her 

The weakness and the dissonance of our clans, 

And how to crush them easily. Wretched race ! 

And once I wish'd to scourge them to the bones. 

But in this narrow breathing-time of life 

Is vengeance for its own sake worth the while, 

If once our ends are gain'd ? and now this cup — 



scene i.] THE CUP. 5 

I never felt such passion for a woman. 

[Brings out a cup and scroll from under his cloak. 

What have I written to her ? 

[Reading the scroll. 

" To the admired Camma, wife of Sinnatus, the 

Tetrarch, one who years ago, himself an adorer of 

our great goddess, Artemis, beheld you afar off 

worshipping in her Temple, and loved you for it, 

sends you this cup rescued from the burning of one 

of her shrines in a city thro' which he past with the 

Roman army : it is the cup we use in our marriages. 

Receive it from one who cannot at present write 

himself other than 

"A Galatian serving by force in the 
Roman Legion." 

[Turns and looks up to Boy. 
Boy, dost thou know the house of Sinnatus ? 



6 THE CUP. [act i. 

Boy. 

These grapes are for the house of Sinnatus — 
Close to the Temple. 

Synorix. 
Yonder ? 

Boy. 

Yes. 

Synorix {aside). 

That I 

With all my range of women should yet shun 

To meet her face to face at once ! My boy, 

[Boy comes down rocks to him. 

Take thou this letter and this cup to Camma, 

The wife of Sinnatus. 

Boy. 

Going or gone to-day 
To hunt with Sinnatus. 



scene i.J THE CUP. 7 

Synorix. 

That matters not. 
Take thou this cup and leave it at her doors. 

[Gives the cup and scroll to the Boy. 

Boy. 
I will, my lord. \Takes his basket of grapes ana 7 exit. 

Enter Antonius. 

Antonius {^meeting the Boy as he goes out). 
Why, whither runs the boy ? 
Is that the cup you rescued from the fire ? 

Synorix. 
I send it to the wife of Sinnatus, 

One half besotted in religious rites. 
You come here with your soldiers to enforce 
The long-withholden tribute : you suspect 
This Sinnatus of playing patriotism, 



8 THE CUP. [act i. 

Which in your sense is treason. You have yet 
No proof against him : now this pious cup 
Is passport to their house, and open arms 
To him who gave it \ and once there I warrant 
I worm thro' all their windings. 

Antonius. 

If you prosper, 

Our Senate, wearied of their tetrarchies, 

Their quarrels with themselves, their spites at Rome, 

Is like enough to cancel them, and throne 

One king above them all, who shall be true 

To the Roman : and from what I heard in Rome, 

This tributary crown may fall to you. 

Svnorix. 
The king, the crown ! their talk in Rome ? is it so? 

[Antonius nods. 



scene i.] THE CUP. o 

Well — I shall serve Galatia taking it, 

And save her from herself, and be to Rome 

More faithful than a Roman. 

[Turns and sees Camma coming. 
Stand aside, 
Stand aside ; here she comes ! 

[ IVatching Camma as she enters 
with her Maid. 

Camma (to Maid). 

Where is he, girl? 

Maid. 

You know the waterfall 

That in the summer keeps the mountain side, 

But after rain o'erleaps a jutting rock 

And shoots three hundred feet. 

Camma. 

The stag is there ? 



io THE CUP. [act i. 

Maid. 
Seen in the thicket at the bottom there 

But yester-even. 

Camma. 

Good then, we will climb 

The mountain opposite and watch the chase. 

[They descend the rocks a?id exeunt. 

Synorix {tvatcJwig her). 
(Aside.) The bust of Juno and the brows and eyes 
Of Venus ; face and form unmatchable ! 

Antonius. 
Why do you look at her so lingeringly ? 

Synorix. 
To see if years have changed her. 

Antonius {sarcastically). 

Love her, do you ? 



scene i.] THE CUP. ii 

Synorix. 
I envied Sinnatus when he married her. 

Antonius. 
She knows it ? Ha ! 

Synorix. 

She — no, nor ev'n my face. 

Antonius. 
Nor Sinnatus either ? 

Synorix. 

No, nor Sinnatus. 

Antonius. 
Hot-blooded ! I have heard them say in Rome, 
That your own people cast you from their bounds, 
For some unprincely violence to a woman, 
As Rome did Tarquin. 



12 THE CUP. [act i. 

Synorix. 

Well, if this were so, 
I here return like Tarquin — for a crown. 

Antonius. 
And may be foil'd like Tarquin, if you follow 
Not the dry light of Rome's straight-going policy, 
But the fool-fire of love or lust, which well 
May make you lose yourself, may even drown you 
In the good regard of Rome. 

Synorix. 

Tut — fear me not ; 

I ever had my victories among women. 

I am most true to Rome. 

Antonius {aside). 

I hate the man ! 
What filthy tools our Senate works with ! Still 
I must obey them. (Aloud.) Fare you well. [Going. 



scene i.] THE CUP. 13 

Synorix. 

Farewell ! 

Antonius {stopping). 

A moment ! If you track this Sinnatus 

In any treason, I give you here an order 

[Produces a paper. 

To seize upon him. Let me sign it. (Signs it.) There 

"Antonius leader of the Roman Legion." 

[Hands the paper to Synorix. Goes 
tip pathway and exit. 

Synorix. 
Woman again ! — but I am wiser now. 
No rushing on the game — the net, — the net. 

[Shouts of " Sinnatus ! Sinnatus !" Then horn. 
Looking off stage.] He comes, a rough, bluff, 

simple-looking fellow. 
If we may judge the kernel by the husk, 



i 4 THE CUP. [act i. 

Not one to keep a woman's fealty when 
Assailed by Craft and Love. I'll join with him : 
I may reap something from him — come upon her 
Again, perhaps, to-day — her. Who are with him ? 
I see no face that knows me. Shall I risk it ? 
I am a Roman now, they dare not touch me. 
I will. 

Enter Sinnatus, Huntsmen and hounds. 

Fair Sir, a happy day to you ! 
You reck but little of the Roman here, 
While you can take your pastime in the woods. 

Sinnatus. 
Ay, ay, why not? What would you with me, man? 

Synorix. 
I am a life-long lover of the chase, 



scene i.] THE CUP. 15 

And tho' a stranger fain would be allow'd 
To join the hunt. 

SlNNATUS. 

Your name ? 

Synorix. 

Strato, my name. 

SlNNATUS. 

No Roman name ? 

Synorix. 

A Greek, my lord ; you know 
That we Galatians are both Greek and Gaul. 

[Shouts a?id horns in the distance. 

SlNNATUS. 

Hillo, the stag ! {To Synorix.) What, you are 
all unfurnish'd ? 
Give him a bow and arrows — follow — follow. 

[Exit, followed by Huntsmen. 



16 THE CUP. [act i. 

Synorix. 

Slowly but surely — till I sec my way. 

It is the one step in the dark beyond 

Our expectation, that amazes us. 

[Distant shouts and horns. 

Hillo S Hillo ! 

[Exit Synorix. Shouts and horns. 



Scene II. — A Room in the TetrarcKs House. 

Frescoed figures on the walls. Evening. Moonlight out- 
side. A couch with cushions on it. A small table with 
flagon of wine, cups, plate of grapes, etc., also the cup 
of Scene I. A chair with drapery on it. 

Camma enters, and opens curtains of window. 

Camma. 
No Sinnatus yet — and there the rising moon. 



scene ii.] THE CUP. 17 

[Takes up a cithern and sits on couch. Plays 
and sings. 

" Moon on the field and the foam, 

Moon on the waste and the wold, 

Moon bring him home, bring him home 

Safe from the dark and the cold, 

Home, sweet moon, bring him home, 

Home with the flock to the fold — 

Safe from the wolf" 

(Listening?) Is he coming? I thought I heard 

A footstep. No not yet. They say that Rome 

Sprang from a wolf. I fear my dear lord mixt 

With some conspiracy against the wolf. 

This mountain shepherd never dream'd of Rome. 

{Sings.) "Safe from the wolf to the fold" ■ 

And that great break of precipice that runs 

Thro' all the wood, where twenty years ago 
c 



1 8 THE CUP. [act i. 

Huntsman, and hound, and deer were all neck-broken! 
Nay, here he comes. 

Enter Sinnatus followed by Synorix. 

Sinnatus (angrily). 

I tell thee, my good fellow, 
My arrow struck the stag. 

Synorix. 

But was it so ? 
Nay, you were further off: besides the wind 
Went with my arrow. 

Sinnatus. 
I am sure / struck him. 

Synorix. 
And I am just as sure, my lord, I struck him. 
(Aside.) And I may strike your game when you are 
gone. 



scene ii.] THE CUP. 19 

Camma. 
Come, come, we will not quarrel about the stag. 
I have had a weary day in watching you. 
Yours must have been a wearier. Sit and eat, 
And take a hunter's vengeance on the meats. 

Sinnatus. 
No, no — we have eaten — we are heated. Wine ! 

Camma. 
Who is our guest ? 

Sinnatus. 
Strato he calls himself. 

[Camma offers wine to Synorix, 
while Sinnatus helps himself. ~\ 

Sinnatus. 
I pledge you, Strato. {Drinks. 



20 THE CUP. [act i. 

SVNORIX. 

And I you, my lord. [Drinks. 

Sinnatus (seeing the cup sent to Camma). 

What's here ? 

Camma. 

A strange gift sent to me to-day. 

A sacred cup saved from a blazing shrine 

Of our great Goddess, in some city where 

Antonius past. I had believed that Rome 

Made war upon the peoples not the Gods. 

Synorix. 
Most like the city rose against Antonius, 
Whereon he fired it, and the sacred shrine 
By chance was burnt along with it. 

Sinnatus. 

Had you then 

No message with the cup ? 



SCENE II.] THE CUP. 21 

Camma. 
Why, yes, see here. [Gives him the scroll. 

Sinnatus (reads). 

"To the admired Camma, — beheld you afar off — 

loved you — sends you this cup — the cup we use in 

our marriages — cannot at present write himself other 

than 

"A Galatian serving by force in the 
Roman Legion." 

Serving by force ! Were there no boughs to hang on, 
Rivers to drown in ? Serve by force ? No force 
Could make me serve by force. 

Synorix. 

How then, my lord ? 
The Roman is encampt without your city — 
The force of Rome a thousand-fold our own. 



THE CUP. 



Must all Galatia nans or drown herself? 



[ACT I. 



And you a Prince and Tetrarch in this province — 



Sinnatus. 
Province ! 

Synorix. 
Well, well, they call it so in Rome- 

Sinnatus (angrily). 
Province ! 

Synorix. 
A noble anger ! but Antonius 
To-morrow will demand your tribute — you, 
Can you make war ? Have you alliances ? 
Bithynia, Pontus, Paphlagonia? 
We have had our leagues of old with Eastern kings. 
There is my hand — if such a league there be. 
What will you do ? 



scene ii.] THE CUP. 23 

SlNNATUS. 

Not set myself abroach 
And run my mind out to a random guest 
Who join'd me in the hunt. You saw my hounds 
True to the scent ; and we have two-legg'd dogs 
Among us who can smell a true occasion. 
And when to bark and how. 

Synorix. 

My good Lord Sinnatus, 
I once was at the hunting of a lion. 
Roused by the clamour of the chase he woke, 
Came to the front of the wood — his monarch mane 
Bristled about his quick ears — he stood there 
Staring upon the hunter. A score of dogs 
Gnaw'd at his ankles : at the last he felt 
The trouble of his feet, put forth one paw, 



24 THE CUP. [act i. 

Slew four, and knew it not, and so remain'd 
Staring upon the hunter : and this Rome 
Will crush you if you wrestle with her ; then 
Save for some slight report in her own Senate 
Scarce know what she has done. 

{Aside.) Would I could move him, 
Provoke him any way! {Aloud.) The Lady Camma, 
Wise I am sure as she is beautiful, 
Will close with me that to submit at once 
Is better than a wholly-hopeless war, 
Our gallant citizens murder'd all in vain, 
Son, husband, brother gash'd to death in vain, 
And the small state more cruelly trampled on 
Than had she never moved. 

Camma. 

Sir, I had once 

A boy who died a babe ; but were he living 



scene ii.] THE CUP. 25 

And grown to man and Sinnatus will'd it, I 
Would set him in the front rank of the fight 
With scarce a pang, (fiises.) Sir, if a state submit 
At once, she may be blotted out at once 
And swallow'd in the conqueror's chronicle. 
Whereas in wars of freedom and defence 
The glory and grief of battle won or lost 
Solders a race together — yea — tho' they fail, 
The names of those who fought and fell are like 
A bank'd-up fire that flashes out again 
From century to century, and at last 
May lead them on to victory — I hope so- 
Like phantoms of the Gods. 

Sinnatus. 

Well spoken, wife. 

Synorix {bowing). 
Madam, so well I yield. 



26 THE CUP. [act i. 

SlNNATUS. 

I should not wonder 
If Synorix, who has dwelt three years in Rome 
And wrought his worst against his native land, 
Returns with this Antonius. 

Synorix. 

What is Synorix ? 

SlNNATUS. 

Galatian, and not know? This Synorix 
Was Tetrarch here, and tyrant also — did 
Dishonour to our wives. 

Synorix. 

Perhaps you judge him 
With feeble chanty : being as you tell me 
Tetrarch, there might be willing wives enough 
To feel dishonour, honour. 



scene ii.] THE CUP. 27 

Cam ma. 

Do not say so. 
I know of no such wives in all Galatia. 
There may be courtesans for aught I know 
Whose life is one dishonour. 

Enter Attendant. 

Attendant {aside). 

My lord, the men ! 

Sinnatus {aside). 
Our anti-Roman faction ? 

Attendant {aside). 

Ay, my lord. 

Synorix {overhearing). 
(Aside.) I have enough— their anti-Roman faction. 



28 THE CUP. [act i. 

SlNNATUS {aloud). 

Some friends of mind would speak with me without. 
You, Strato, make good cheer till I return. [Exit. 

Synorix. 
I have much to say, no time to say it in. 
First, lady, know myself am that Galatian 
Who sent the cup. 

Camma. 

I thank you from my heart. 

Synorix. 
Then that I serve with Rome to serve Galatia. 
That is my secret : keep it, or you sell me 
To torment and to death. [Coming close?'. 

For your ear only — 
I love you — for your love to the great Goddess. 
The Romans sent me here a spy upon you, 



scene ii.] THE CUP. 29 

To draw you and your husband to your doom. 
I'd sooner die than do it. 

[Takes out paper given him by Antonius. 
This paper sign'd 
Antonius — will. you take it, read it? there ! 

Camma. 

{Reads) " You are to seize on Sinnatus, — if " 



Synorix. 

{Snatches paper.) No more. 
What follows is for no wife's eyes. O Camma, 
Rome has a glimpse of this conspiracy ; 
Rome never yet hath spar'd conspirator. 
Horrible ! flaying, scourging, crucifying 

Camma. 
I am tender enough. Why do you practise on me ? 



3o THE CUP. [act i. 

Synorix. 

Why should I practise on you ? How you wrong me ! 

I am sure of being every way malign'd. 

And if you should betray me to your husband 



Camma. 
Will you betray him by this order ? 

Synorix. 

See, 

I tear it all to pieces, never dream'd 
Of acting on it. [Tears the paper. 

Camma. 
I owe you thanks for ever. 

Synorix. 
Hath Sinnatus never told you of this plot ? 

Camma. 
What plot ? 



scene ii.] THE CUP. 31 

Synorix. 
A child's sand-castle on the beach 
For the next wave — all seen, — all calculated, 
All known by Rome. No chance for Sinnatus. 

Camma. 
Why, said you not as much to my brave Sinnatus ? 

Synorix. 
Brave — ay — too brave, too over-confident, 
Too like to ruin himself, and you, and me ! 
Who else, with this black thunderbolt of Rome 
Above him, would have chased the stag to-day 
In the full face of all the Roman camp ? 
A miracle that they let him home again, 
Not caught, maim'd, blinded him. 

[Camma shudders. 
{Aside.) I have made her tremble. 



32 THE CUP. [act i. 

{Aloud.) I know they mean to torture him to death. 
I dare not tell him how I came to know it ; 
I durst not trust him with — my serving Rome 
To serve Galatia : you heard him on the letter. 
Not say as much ? I all but said as much. 
I am sure I told him that his plot was folly. 
I say it to you — you are wiser — Rome knows all, 
But you know not the savagery of Rome. 

Camma. 

O — have you power with Rome ? use it for him ! 

Synorix. 
Alas ! I have no such power with Rome. All that 
Lies with Antonius. 
[As if struck by a sudden thought. Comes over to her. 
He will pass to-morrow 
In the gray dawn before the Temple doors. 



scene ii.] THE CUP. 11 

You have beauty, — O great beauty, — and Antonius, 
So gracious toward women, never yet 
Flung back a woman's prayer. Plead to him, 
I am sure you will prevail. 

CaMma. 

Still— I should tell 
My husband. 

Svnorix. 

Will he let you plead for him 

To a Roman ? 

Camma. 

I fear not. 

Synorix. 

Then do not tell him. 
Or tell him, if you will, when you return, 
When you have charm'd our general into mercy, 

D 



34 THE CUP. [act i. 

And all is safe again. O dearest lady, 

[Murmurs of "Synorix ! Synorix ! " heard outside. 
Think, — torture, — death, — and come. 

Cam ma. 

I will, I will. 

And I will not betray you. 

Synorix {aside). 
(As Sinnatus enters.) Stand apart. 

Enter Sinnatus and Attendant. 

Sinnatus. 
Thou art that Synorix ! One whom thou hast wrong'd 
Without there, knew thee with Antonius. 
They howl for thee, to rend thee head from limb. 

Synorix. 
I am much malign'd. I thought to serve Galatia. 



scene ii.] THE CUP. 35 

SlNNATUS. 

Serve thyself first, villain ! They shall not harm 
My guest within my house. There ! (points to dooi') 

there ! this door 
Opens upon the forest ! Out, begone ! 
Henceforth I am thy mortal enemy. 

Synorix. 
However I thank thee idratvs his sword) ; thou hast 
saved my life. [Exit. 

SlNNATUS. 

(To Attendant.) Return and tell them Synorix is 
not here. [Exit Attendant. 

What did that villain Synorix say to you ? 

Camma. 

Is he — /7ztf/— Synorix ? 



36 THE CUP. [act i. 

SlNNATUS, 

Wherefore should you doubt it ? 
One of the men there knew him. 

Camma. 

Only one, 

And he perhaps mistaken in the face. 

SlNNATUS. 

Come, come, could he deny it ? What did he say ? 

Camma. 
What should he say ? 

SlNNATUS. 

What should he say, my wife ! 
He should say this, that being Tetrarch once 
His own true people cast him from their doors 
Like a base coin. 



scene ii.] THE CUP. 37 

Camma. 

Not kindly to them ? 

Sinnatus. 

Kindly ? 

the most kindly Prince in all the world ! 

Would clap his honest citizens on the back, 

Bandy their own rude jests with them, be curious 

About the welfare of their babes, their wives, 

O ay — -their wives — their wives. What should he 

say? 

He should say nothing to my wife if I 

Were by to throttle him ! He steep'd himself 

In all the lust of Rome. How should^// guess 

What manner of beast it is ? 

Camma. 

Yet he seem'd kindly, 



3§ THE CUP. [act i. 

And said he loathed the cruelties that Rome 
Wrought on her vassals. 

Sinnatus. 



Did he, honest man ? 



Camma. 

And you, that seldom brook the stranger here, 
Have let him hunt the stag with you to-day. 

Sinnatus. 
I warrant you now, he said he struck the stag. 

Camma. 
Why no, he never touch'd upon the stag. 

Sinnatus. 
Why so I said, my arrow. Well, to sleep. 

f Goes to close door. 



scene ii.] THE CUP. 39 

Camma. 
Nay, close not yet the door upon a night 
That looks half day. 

Sinnatus. 
True ; and my friends may spy him 
And slay him as he runs. 

Camma. 

He is gone already. 
Oh look, — yon grove upon the mountain, — white 
In the sweet moon as with a lovelier snow ! 
But what a blotch of blackness underneath ! 
Sinnatus, you remember — yea, you must, 
That there three years ago — the vast vine-bowers 
Ran to the summit of the trees, and dropt 
Their streamers earthward, which a breeze of May 
Took ever and anon, and open'd out 



4© THE CUP. [act i. 

The purple zone of hill and heaven ; there 

You told your love ; and like the swaying vines — 

Yea, — with our eyes, — our hearts, our prophet hopes 

Let in the happy distance, and that all 

But cloudless heaven which we have found together 

In our three married years ! You kiss'd me there 

For the first time. Sinnatus, kiss me now. 

Sinnatus. 

First kiss, (fusses her.) There then. You talk 

almost as if it 

Might be the last. 

Camma. 

Will you not eat a little ? 

Sinnatus. 
No, no, we found a goat-herd's hut and shared 
His fruits and milk. Liar ! You will believe 



scene ii.] THE CUP. 41 

Now that he never struck the stag — a brave one 
Which you shall see to-morrow. 

Cam ma. 

I rise to-morrow 

In the gray dawn, and take this holy cup 

To lodge it in the shrine of Artemis. 

Sinnatus. 
Good ! 

Camma. 

If I be not back in half an hour, 

Come after me. 

Sinnatus. 

What ! is there danger ? 

Camma. 

Nay, 

None that I know : 'tis but a step from here 
To the Temple. 



42 THE CUP. [act i. 

SlNNATUS. 

All my brain is full of sleep. 
"Wake me before you go, I'll after you — 
After me now ! [Closes door and exit. 

Camma {drawing curtains). 

Your shadow. Synorix-^ 
His face was not malignant, and he said 
That men malign'd him. Shall I go ? Shall I go ? 
Death, torture — 

" He never yet flung back a woman's prayer " — 
I go, but I will have my dagger with me. [Exit. 



scene in.] THE CUP. 43 



Scene III. — Same as Scene I. Dawn. 

Music and Singing in the Temple. 

Enter Synorix watchfully, after him Publius and 

Soldiers. 



Publius ! 



SYNORIX. 



Publius. 



Here! 

Synorix. 

Do you remember what 
I told you ? 

Publius. 
When you cry " Rome, Rome," to seize 
On whomsoever may be talking with you, 
Or man, or woman, as traitors unto Rome. 



44 THE CUP. [act i. 

Synorix. 

Right. Back again. How many of you are there? 

PUBLIUS. 

Some half a score. \Exeunt Soldiers and Publius. 

Synorix. 

I have my guard about me. 
I need not fear the crowd that hunted me 
Across the woods, last night. I hardly gain'd 
The camp at midnight. Will she come to me 
Now that she knows me Synorix ? Not if Sinnatus 
Has told her all the truth about me. Well, 
I cannot help the mould that I was cast in. 
I fling all that upon my fate, my star. 
I know that I am genial, I would be 
Happy, and make all others happy so 
They did not thwart me. Nay, she will not come. 



scene in.] THE CUP. 45 

Yet if she be a true and loving wife 
She may, perchance, to save this husband. Ay ! 
See, see, my white bird stepping toward the snare. 
Why now I count it all but miracle, 
That this brave heart of mine should shake me so, 
As helplessly as some unbearded boy's 
When first he meets his maiden in a bower. 
Enter Camma {with cup). 

Synorix. 

The lark first takes the sunlight on his wing, 

But you, twin sister of the morning star, 

Forelead the sun. 

Camma. 

Where is Antonius ? 

Synorix. 

Not here as yet. You are too early for him. 

[S/ie crosses towards Te?nple. 



46 THE CUP. [act i. 

Synorix. 
Nay, whither go you now ? 

Camma. 

To lodge this cup 
Within the holy shrine of Artemis, 
And so return. 

Synorix. 
To find Antonius here. 
[S/ie goes into the Temple, he looks after her. 

| The loveliest life that ever drew the light 

I 
From heaven to brood upon her, and enrich 

( Earth with her shadow ! I trust she will return. 

These Romans dare not violate the Temple. 

No, I must lure my game into the camp. 

A woman I could live and die for. What ! 

Die for a woman, what new faith is this ? 



scene in.] THE CUP. 47 

I am not mad, not sick, not old enough 

To doat on one alone. Yes, mad for her, 

Camma the stately, Camma the great-hearted, . 

So mad, I fear some strange and evil chance 

I 
Coming upon me, for by the Gods I seem 

Strange to myself. 

Re-enter Camma. 

Camma. 

Where is Antonius ? 

Synorix. 
Where ? As I said before, you are still too early. 

Camma. 
Too early to be here alone with thee ; 
For whether men malign thy name, or no, 
It bears an evil savour among women. 
Where is Antonius ? {Loud. ) 



4 8 THE CUP. [act i. 

Synorix. 

Madam, as you know 
The camp is half a league without the city; 
If you will walk with me we needs must meet 
Antonius coming, or at least shall find him 
There in the camp. 

Camma. 

No, not one step with thee. 
Where is Antonius ? (Louder.) 

Synorix (advancing towards her). 

Then for your own sake, 
Lady, I say it with all gentleness, 
And for the sake of Sinnatus your husband, 
I must compel you. 

Camma {drawing her dagger). 

Stav ! — too near is death. 



scene in.] THE CUP. 49 

Synorix {disarming her). 
Is it not easy to disarm a woman ? 

Enter Sinnatus {seizes him from behind 
by the throat). 

Synorix {throttled and scarce audible). 
Rome ! Rome ! 

Sinnatus. 
Adulterous dog S 

Synorix {stabbing him with Camma's dagger). 

What ! will you have it ? 
[Cam ma titters a cry and runs 
to Sinnatus. 

Sinnatus {falls backward). 
I have it in my heart — to the Temple — fly — 
For my sake — or they seize on thee. Remember ! 
Away — farewell ! [Dies. 



5 o THE CUP. [act i. 

Camma {runs up the steps into the Temple^ 
looking back). 

Farewell ! 

Synorix (seeing her escape). 

The women of the TemjUe drag her in. 
Publius ! Publius ! No, 
Antonius would not suffer me to break 
Into the sanctuary. She hath escaped. 

[Looking down at Sinnatus. 
" Adulterous dog ! " that red-faced rage at me ! 
Then with one quick short stab — eternal peace. 
So end all passions. Then what use in passions ? 
To warm the cold bounds of our dying life 
And, lest we freeze in mortal apathy, 
Employ us, heat us, quicken us, help us, keep us 
From seeing all too near that urn, those ashes 



scene in.] THE CUP. 51 

Which all must be. Well used, they serve us well. 
I heard a saying in Egypt, that ambition 
Is like the sea wave, which the more you drink, 
The more you thirst — yea — drink too much, as 

men 
Have done on rafts of wreck — it drives you mad. 
I will be no such wreck, am no such gamester 
As, having won the stake, would dare the chance 
Of double, or losing all. The Roman Senate, 
For I have always play'd into their hands, 
Means me the crown. And Camma for my bride — 
The people love her — if I win her love, 
They too will cleave to me, as one with her. 
There then I rest, Rome's tributary king. 

[Looking down on Sinnatus. 
Why did I strike him ? — having proof enough 
Against the man, I surely should have left 



52 THE CUP. [act i. 

That stroke to Rome. He saved my life too. Did 

he? 
It seem'd so. I have play'd the sudden fool. 
And that sets her against me — for the moment. 
Camma — well, well, I never found the woman 
I could not force or wheedle to my will. 
She will be glad at last to wear my crown. 
And I will make Galatia prosperous too, 
And we will chirp among our vines, and smile 
At bygone things till that {pointing to Sinnatus) 

eternal peace. 
Rome ! Rome ! 

E7iter Publius and Soldiers. 
Twice I cried Rome. Why came ye not before ? 

Publius. 
Why come we now ? Whom shall we seize upon ? 



scene in.] THE CUP. 53 

Svnorix {pointing to the body ^/"Sinnatus). 
The body of that dead traitor Sinnatus. 
Bear him away. 

Music and Singing in Temple. 



END OF ACT 



ACT II. 

Scene. — Interior of the Temple of Artemis. 

Small gold gates on platform in front of the veil before the 
colossal statue of the Goddess, and in the centre of the 
Temple a tripod altar, on which is a lighted lamp. 
Lamps (lighted) suspended between each pillar* Tri- 
pods, vases, garlands of flowers, etc., about stage. Altar 
at back close to Goddess, with two cups. Solemn 
music. Priestesses decorating the Temple. 

Enter a Priestess. 

Priestess. 
Phoebe, that man from Synorix, who has been 
So oft to see the Priestess, waits once more 
Before the Temple. 



act ii.] THE CUP. 55 

Phcebe. 

We will let her know. 
{Signs to one of the Priestesses, who goes out. 
Since Camma fled from Synorix to our Temple, 
And for her beauty, stateliness, and power, 
Was chosen Priestess here, have you not mark'd 
Her eyes were ever on the marble floor ? 
To-day they are fixt and bright— they look straight 

out. 
Hath she made up her mind to marry him ? 

Priestess. 
To marry him who stabb'd her Sinnatus. 
You will not easily make me credit that. 

Phcebe. 

Ask her. 



56 THE CUP. [act ii. 

Enter Camma as Priestess {in front of the curtains). 

Priestess. 
You will not marry Syno.rix ? 

Camma. 
My girl, I am the bride of Death, and only 

Marry the dead. 

Priestess. 
Not Synorix then ? 



Camma. 



My girl, 



At times this oracle of great Artemis 
Has no more power than other oracles 
To speak directly. 

Phcebe. 

Will you speak to him, 
The messenger from Synorix who waits 
Before the Temple ? * 



act ii.] THE CUP. 57 

Camma. 
Why not ? Let him enter. 
[Comes forward on to step by tripod. 

Enter a Messenger. 

Messenger {kneels). 
Greeting and health from Synorix ! More than once 
You have refused his hand. When last I saw you, 
You all but yielded. He entreats you now 
For your last answer. When he struck at Sinnatus — 
As I have many a time declared to you— 
He knew not at the moment who had fasten'd 
About his throat — he begs you to forget it 
As scarce his act : — a random stroke : all else 
Was love for you : he prays you to believe him. 

Camma. 
I pray him to believe — that I believe him. 



58 THE CUP. [act ii. 

Messenger. 
Why that is well. You mean to marry him ? 

Camma. 

I mean to marry him — if that be well. 

Messenger. 
This very day the Romans crown him king 
For all his faithful services to Rome. 
He wills you then this day to marry him, 
And so be throned together in the sight 
Of all the people, that the world may know 
You twain are reconciled, and no more feuds 
Disturb our peaceful vassalage to Rome. 

Camma. 
To-day ? Too sudden. I will brood upon it. 
When do they crown him ? 



act ii.] THE CUP. 59 

Messenger. 
Even now. 

Camma. 

And where ? 

Messenger. 
Here by your temple. 

Camma. 

Come once more to me 
Before the crowning, — I will answer you. 

[Exit Messenger. 
Phcebe. 
Great Artemis ! O Camma, can it be well, 
Or good, or wise, that you should clasp a hand 
Red with the sacred blood of Sinnatus ? 

Camma. 
Good ! mine own dagger driven by Synorix found 



60 THE CUP. [act ii. 

All good in the true heart of Sinnatus, 

And quench'd it there for ever. Wise ! 

Life yields to death and wisdom bows to Fate, 

Is wisest, doing so. Did not this man 

Speak well ? We cannot fight imperial Rome, 

But he and I are both Galatian-born, 

And tributary sovereigns, he and I 

Might teach this Rome — from knowledge of our 

people — 

Where to lay on her tribute — heavily here 

And lightly there. Might I not live for that, 

And drown all poor self-passion in the sense 

Of public good ? 

Phoebe. 

I am sure you will not marry him. 

Camma. 

Are you so sure ? I pray you wait and see. 






act ii.] THE CUP. 

[Shouts (from the distance), "Synorix ! Synorix 

Camma. 

Synorix, Synorix ! So they cried Sinnatus 
Not so long since— they sicken me. The One 
Who shifts his policy suffers something, must 
Accuse himself, excuse himself; the Many 

r 

Will feel no shame to give themselves the lie. 

Phcebe. 
Most like it was the Roman soldier shouted. 

Camma. 
Their shield-borne patriot of the morning star 
Hang'd at mid-day, their traitor of the dawn 
The clamour'd darling of their afternoon ! 
And that same head they would have play'd at ball 

with, 
And kick'd it featureless — they now would crown. 



62 THE CUP. [act ii. 

\Flourish of trumpets. 

Enter a Galatian Nobleman with crown on a 
cushion. 

Noble {kneels). 
Greeting and health from Synorix. He sends you 
This diadem of the first Galatian Queen, 
That you may feed your fancy on the glory of it, 
And join your life this day with his, and wear it 
Beside him on his throne. He waits your answer. 

Camma. 

Tell him there is one shadow among the shadows, 
One ghost of all the ghosts — as yet so new, 
So strange among them — such an alien there, 
So much of husband in it still — that if 
The shout of Synorix and Camma sitting 
Upon one throne, should reach it, it would rise 
He ! . . . He, with that red star between the ribs, 



act II.] THE CUP. 63 

And my knife there — and blast the king and me, 
And blanch the crowd with horror. I dare not, sir ! 
Throne him — and then the marriage — ay and tell 

him 
That I accept the diadem of Galatia — 

[All are amazed. 
Yea, that ye saw me crown myself withal; 

[Puts on the crown. 
I wait him his crown'd queen. 

Noble. 

So will I tell him. 

[Exit. 

Music. Two Priestesses go up the steps before the shrine, 
draw the curtains on either side (discovering the Goddess), 
then open the gates and remain on steps, one on either 
side, and kneel. A Priestess goes off and returns with 
a veil of marriage, then assists Phcebe to veil Camma. 
At the same time Priestesses enter and stand on either 



64 THE CUP. [act ii. 

side of the Temple. Camma and all the Priestesses 
kneel, raise their hands to the Goddess, and bow down. 

[Shouts, " Synorix ! Synorix ! " All rise. 

Camma. 
Fling wide the doors, and let the new-made children 
Of our imperial mother see the show. 

[Sunlight pours through the doors. 
I have no heart to do it. {To Phcsbe). Look for me ! 

[Crouches. Phcebe looks out. 

[Shouts, " Synorix ! Synorix ! " 

Phcebe. 
He climbs the throne. Hot blood, ambition, pride 
So bloat and redden his face — O would it were 
His third last apoplexy ! O bestial ! 
O how unlike our goodly Sinnatus. 



act ii.] THE CUP. 65 

Camma (on the ground). 
You wrong him surely ; far as the face goes 
A goodlier-looking man than Sinnatus. 

Phcebe (aside). 
How dare she say it ? I could hate her for it 
But that she is distracted. [A flourish of trumpets. 

Camma. 

Is he crown'd ? 

Phcebe. 
Ay, there they crown him. 

[Crowd without shout, "Synorix! Synorix ! " 

Camma (rises). 

[A Priestess brings a box of spices to Camma, 
tuho throws them on the altar fla?ne. 

Rouse the dead altar-flame, fling in the spices, 

Nard, Cinnamon, amoraum, benzoin. 

Let all the air reel into a mist of odour, 

F 



66 THE CUP. [act ii. 

As in the midmost heart of Paradise. 
Lay down the Lydian carpets for the king. 
The king should pace on purple to his bride, 
And music there to greet my lord the king. [Music. 
(To Phcebe.) Dost thou remember when I wedded 

Sinnatus ? 
Ay, thou wast there — whether from maiden fears 
Or reverential love for him I loved, 
Or some strange second-sight, the marriage-cup 
Wherefrom we make libation to the Goddess 
So shook within my hand, that the red wine 
Ran down the marble and lookt like blood,like blood. 

Phcebe. 
I do remember your first-marriage fears. 

Camma. 
I have no fears at this my second marriage. 



act ii.] THE CUP. 67 

See here — I stretch my hand out — hold it there. 
How steady it is ! 

Phcebe. 

Steady enough to stab him ! 

Camma. 

O hush ! O peace ! This violence ill becomes 
The silence of our Temple. Gentleness, 
Low words best chime with this solemnity. 

Enter a procession of Priestesses and Children bear- 
ing garlands and golden goblets, and strewing 
flowers. 

Enter Synorix (as King, with gold laurel-wreath 
crown and purple robes), followed by Antonius, 
Publius, Noblemen, Guards, and the Popu- 
lace. 

Camma. 
Hail, King ! 



68 THE CUP. [act ii. 

Synorix. 

Hail, Queen ! 
The wheel of Fate has roll'd me to the top. 
I would that happiness were gold, that I 
Might cast my largess of it to the crowd ! 
I would that every man made feast to-day 
Beneath the shadow of our pines and planes ! 
For all my truer life begins to-day. 
The past is like a travell'd land now sunk 
Below the horizon — like a barren shore 
That grew salt weeds, but now all drown'd in love 
And glittering at full tide — the bounteous bays 
And havens filling with a blissful sea. 
Nor speak I now too mightily, being King 
And happy ! happiest, Lady, in my power 
To make you happy. 



act ii.] THE CUP. 69 

Camma. 

Yes, sir. 

Synorix. 

Our Antonius, 

Our faithful friend of Rome, tho' Rome may set 

A free foot where she will, yet of his courtesy 

Entreats he may be present at our marriage. 

Camma. 
Let him come — a legion with him, if he will. 
(To Antonius.) Welcome, my lord Antonius, to 

our Temple. 
(To Synorix.) You on this side the altar. (To 

Antonius.) You on that. 
Call first upon the Goddess, Synorix. 

[All face the Goddess. Priestesses, Children, Populace, 
and Guards kneel — the others remain standing. 



70 THE CUP. [act ii. 

Synorix. 

O Thou, that dost inspire the germ with life, 
The child, a thread within the house of birth, 
And give him limbs, then air, and send him forth 
The glory of his father — Thou whose breath 
Is balmy wind to robe our hills with grass, 
And kindle all our vales wi£h myrtle-blossom, 
And roll the golden oceans of our grain, 
And sway the long grape-bunches of our vines, 
And fill all hearts with fatness and the lust 
Of plenty — make me happy in my marriage ! 

Chorus (chanting). 

Artemis, Artemis, hear him, Ionian Artemis ! 

Cam ma. 
O Thou that slayest the babe within the womb 
Or in the being born, or after slayest him 



act ii.] THE CUP. 71 

As boy or man, great Goddess, whose storm-voice 

Unsockets the strong oak, and rears his root 

Beyond his head, and strows our fruits, and lays 

Our golden grain, and runs to sea and makes it 

Foam over all the fleeted wealth of kings 

And peoples, hear. 

Whose arrow is the plague — whose quick flash 

splits 
The mid-sea mast, and rifts the tower to the rock, 
And hurls the victor's column down with him 
That crowns it, hear. 

Who causest the safe earth to shudder and gape, 
And gulf and flatten in her closing chasm 
Domed cities, hear. 

Whose lava-torrents blast and blacken a province 
To a cinder, hear. 
Whose winter-cataracts find a realm and leave it 



72 THE CUP. [act ii. 

A waste of rock and ruin, hear. I call thee 
To make my marriage prosper to my wish ! 

Chorus. 
Artemis, Artemis, hear her, Ephesian Artemis ! 

Camma. 

Artemis, Artemis, hear me, Galatian Artemis ! 
I call on our own Goddess in our own Temple. 

Chorus. 
Artemis, Artemis, hear her, Galatian Artemis ! 

[Thunder. All rise. 

Synorix {aside). 
Thunder ! Ay, ay, the storm was drawing hither 
Across the hills when I was being crown'd. 
I wonder if I look as pale as she ? 

Camma 
Art thou — still bent — on marrying? 



act ii.] THE CUP. 73 

Synorix. 

Surely — yet 

These are strange words to speak to Artemis. 

Camma. 
Words are not always what they seem, my King. 
I will be faithful to thee till thou die 

Synorix. 
I thank thee, Camma, — I thank thee. 

Camma {turning to Antonius). 

Antonius, 
Much graced are we that our Queen Rome in you 
Deigns to look in upon our barbarisms. 

[Ttims, goes up steps to altar before the Goddess. 
Takes a cup from off the altar. Holds it to- 
wards Antonius. Antonius goes up to the 
foot of the steps, opposite to Synorix. 

You see this cup, my lord. [Gives it to him. 



74 THE CUP. [act ii. 

Antonius. 

Most curious ! 

The many-breasted mother Artemis 

Emboss'd upon it. 

Camma. 

It is old, I know not 

How many hundred years. Give it me again. 

It is the cup belonging our own Temple. 

[Puts it back on altar, a?id takes up the cup 
of Act P. Showing it to Antonius. 

Here is another sacred to the Goddess, 

The gift of Synorix ; and the Goddess, being 

For this most grateful, wills, thro' me her Priestess, 

In honour of his gift and of our marriage, 

That Synorix should drink from his own cup. 

Synorix. 
I thank thee, Camma, — I thank thee. 



act ii.] THE CUP. 75 

Camma. 

For — my lord — 

It is our ancient custom in Galatia 

That ere two souls be knit for life and death, 

They two should drink together from one cup, 

In symbol of their married unity, 

Making libation to the Goddess. Bring me 

The costly wines we use in marriages. 

[They bring in a large jar of wine. 
Camma pours wine into cup. 

(To Synorix.) See here, I fill it. (To Antonius.) 

Will you drink, my lord ? 

Antonius. 
I ? Why should I ? I am not to be married. 

Camma. 
But that might bring a Roman blessing on us. 



76 THE CUP. [act xi. 

Antonius {refusing cup). 
Thy pardon, Priestess ! 

Camma. 

Thou art in the right. 
This blessing is for Synorix and for me. 
See first I make libation to the Goddess, 

[Makes libation. 
And now I drink. [Drinks and fills the cup again. 

Thy turn, Galatian King. 
Drink and drink deep — our marriage will be fruitful. 
Drink and drink deep, and thou wilt make me happy. 

[Synorix goes up to her. She hands him 
the cup. He drinks. 

Synorix. 
There, Camma ! I have almost drain'd the cup — 
A few drops left. 



act ii.] THE CUP. 77 

Camma. 

Libation to the Goddess. 

[He throws the remaining drops on the 
altar and gives Camma the cup. 

Camma {placing the cup on the altar). 
Why then the Goddess hears. 

[Comes down and forward to tripod. 
Antonius follows. 

Antonius, 
Where wast thou on that morning whe.n I came 
To plead to thee for Sinnatus's life, 
Beside this temple half a year ago ? 

Antonius. 
I never heard of this request of thine. 



78 THE CUP. [act ii. 

Synorix {coming forward hastily to foot of 
tripod steps). 

I sought him and I could not find him. Pray you, 

Go on with the marriage rites. 

Camma. 

Antonius 

" Camma ! " who spake ? 

Antonius. 

Not I. 

Phcebe. 

Nor any here. 

Camma. 
I am all but sure that some one spake. Antonius, 
If you had found him plotting against Rome, 
Would you have tortured Sinnatus to death ? 



act iL] THE CUP. 79 

Antonius. 
No thought was mine of torture or of death, 
But had I found him plotting, I had counsell'd him 
To rest from vain resistance. Rome is fated 
To rule the world. Then, if he had not listen'd, 
I might have sent him prisoner to Rome. 

Synorix. 
Why do you palter with the ceremony ? 
Go on with the marriage rites. 



Gamma. 



Synorix. 



They are finish'd. 
How! 



Camma. 
Thou hast drunk deep enough to make me happy. 
Dost thou not feel the love I bear to thee 
Glow thro' thy veins ? 



80 THE CUP. [act ii. 

SVNORIX. 

,-_. The love I bear to thee 

Glows thro' my veins since first I look'd on thee. 
But wherefore slur the perfect ceremony ? 
The sovereign of Galatia weds his Queen. 
Let all be done to the fullest in the sight 
Of all the Gods. (Starts.) This pain — what is it? — 

again ? 
I had a touch of this last year — in — Rome. 
Yes, yes. (To Antonius.) Your arm — a moment — 

It will pass. 
I reel beneath the weight of utter joy — 
This all too happy day, crown — queen at once. 

[Staggers. 
O all ye Gods — Jupiter ! — Jupiter ! [Falls backward. 

Camma. 

Dost thou cry out upon the Gods of Rome. 



act ii.] THE CUP. 81 

Thou art Galatian-born ? Our Artemis 
Has vanquish'd their Diana. 

Synorix (on the ground). 

I am poison'd. 
She — close the Temple doors. Let her not fly. 

Camma {leaning on tripod). 
Have I not drunk of the same cup with thee ? 

Synorix. 
Ay, by the Gods of Rome and all the world, 
She too — she too — the bride ! the Queen ! and I — 
Monstrous ! I that loved her. 

Camma. 

I loved him. 

Synorix. 
O murderous mad-woman ! I pray you lift me 

G 



82 THE CUP. [act ii. 

And make me walk awhile. I have heard these 

poisons 
May be walk'd down. 

[Antonius and Publius raise him up. 
My feet are tons of lead, 
They will break in the earth — I am sinking — hold 

me — 
Let me alone. 

[They leave him ; he sinks doivn on ground. 
Too late — thought myself wise — 
A woman's dupe. Antonius, tell the Senate 
I have been most true to Rome — would have been 

true 
To her — if — if [Falls as if dead. 



* 



Camma {coming and leaning over him). 

So falls the throne of an hour. 



act ii.] THE CUP. 83 

Synorix {half rising). 
Throne? is it thou? the Fates are throned, not 

we — 
Not guilty of ourselves — thy doom and mine — 
Thou — coming my way too — Camma — good-night. 

[Dies. 

Camma {upheld by weeping Priestesses). 
Thy way ? poor worm, crawl down thine own black 

hole 
To the lowest Hell. Antonius, is he there ? 
I meant thee to have follow'd — better thus. 
Nay, if my people must be thralls of Rome, 
He is gentle, tho' a Roman. 

[Sinks back i?ito the arms of the Priestesses. 

Antonius. 

Thou art one 



84 THE CUP. [act ii. 

With thine own people, and tho' a Roman I 
Forgive thee, Camma. 

C amma {raising herself). 

"Camma!" — why there again 
I am most sure that some one call'd. O women, 
Ye will have Roman masters. I am glad 
I shall not see it. Did not some old Greek 
Say death was the chief good ? He had my fate for it, 
Poison'd. {Sinks back again). Have I the crown 

on ? I will go 
To meet him, crown'd ! crown'd victor of my will — 
On my last voyage — but the wind has fail'd — 
Growing dark too — but light enough to row. 
Row to the blessed Isles ! the blessed Isles ! — 
Sinnatus ! 
Why comes he not to meet me ? It is the crown 



act ii.] THE CUP. 85 

Offends him — and my hands are too sleepy 
To lift it off. [Phcebe takes the crown off. 

Who touch'd me then? I thank you. 
[Rises, with outspread arms. 
There — league on league of ever-shining shore 
Beneath an ever-rising sun — I -see him — 
" Camma, Camma S " Sinnatus, Sinnatus ! [Dies. 



THE END. 



THE FALCON 



"The Falcon" was produced at the St. James's 
Theatre, under the management of Messrs. 
Hare and Kendal, in December 1879, with the 
following cast : — 

The Count Federigo degli 

Alberighi . . . Mr. Kendal. 

FlLlPPO, Counts foster-brother . Mr. Denny. 

The Lady Giovanna . . Mrs. Kendal. 

Elisabetta, the Count's nurse Mrs. Gaston Murray. 



THE FALCON. . 

Scene. — An Italian Cottage. Castle and Mountains 
seen through Window. 

Elisabetta discovered seated on stool in window darning. 
The Count with Falcon on his hand comes down 
through the door at back. A withered wreath on the 
wall. 

Elisabetta. 
So, my lord, the Lady Giovanna, who hath been 
away so long, came back last night with her son to 

the castle. 

Count. 
Hear that, my bird ! Art thou not jealous of her? 



90 THE FALCON. 

My princess of the cloud, my plumed purveyor, 
My far-eyed queen of the winds — thou that canst 

soar 
Beyond the morning lark, and howsoe'er 
Thy quarry wind and wheel, swoop down upon him 
Eagle-like, lightning-like — strike, make his feathers 
Glance in mid heaven. [Crosses to chair. 

I would thou hadst a mate ! 
Thy breed will die with thee, and mine with me : 
I am as lone and loveless as thyself. [Sits in chair. 
Giovanna here ! Ay, ruffle thyself — be jealous ! 
Thou should'st be jealous of her. Tho' I bred thee 
The full-train'd marvel of all falconry, 
And love thee and thou me, yet if Giovanna 
Be here again — No, no ! Buss me, my bird ! 
The stately widow has no heart for me. 
Thou art the last friend left me upon earth — 



THE FALCON. 91 

No, no again to that. [Rises and turns. 

My good old nurse, 
I had forgotten thou wast sitting there. 

Elisabetta. 
Ay, and forgotten thy foster-brother too. 

Count. 
Bird-babble for my falcon ! Let it pass. 
What art thou doing there ? 

Elisabetta. 

Darning, your lordship. 
We cannot flaunt it in new feathers now : 
Nay, if we will buy diamond necklaces 
To please our lady, we must darn, my lord. 
This old thing here {points to ?iecklace round her neck), 
they are but blue beads — my Piero, 
God rest his honest soul, he bought 'em for me, 



92 THE FALCON. 

Ay, but he knew I meant to marry him. 

How couldst thou do it, my son ? How couldst thou 

do it? 

Count. 

She saw it at a dance, upon a neck 

Less lovely than her own, and long'd for it. 

El.ISABETTA. 

She told thee as much ? 

Count. 

No, no — a friend of hers. 

Elisabetta. 
Shame on her that she took it at thy hands, 
She rich enough to have bought it for herself! 

Count. 
She would have robb'd me then of a great pleasure. 



THE FALCON. 93 



Elisabetta. 
But hath she yet return'd thy love ? 



Count. 

Not yet ! 

Elisabetta. 
She should return thy necklace then. 

Count. 

Ay, if 

She knew the giver ; but I bound the seller 

To silence, and I left it privily 

At Florence, in her palace. 

Elisabetta. 

And sold thine own 
To buy it for her. She not know ? She knows 
There's none such other 



94 THE FALCON. 

Count. 

Madman anywhere. 

Speak freely, tho' to call a madman mad 

Will hardly help to make him sane again. 

Enter Filippo. 

Filippo. 
Ah, the women, the women ! Ah, Monna Giovanna, 
you here again ! you that have the face of an 
angel and the heart of a — that's too positive ! You 
that have a score of lovers and have not a heart 
for any of them — that's positive-negative : you that 
have not the head of a toad, and not a heart like 
the jewel in it — that's too negative ; you that have 
a cheek like a peach and a heart like the stone in 
it — that's positive again — that's better! 

Elisabetta. 
Sh—sh— Filippo ! 



THE FALCON. 95 

Filippo {turns half round). 
Here has our master been a-glorifying and a-vel- 
veting and a-silking himself, and a-peacocking and 
a-spreading to catch her eye for a dozen year, till 
he hasn't an eye left in his own tail to nourish 
among the peahens, and all along o' you, Monna 
Giovanna, all along o' you ! 

Elisabetta. 

Sh—sh— Filippo ! Can't you hear that you are 

saying behind his back what you see you are saying 

afore his face? 

Count. 

Let him — he never spares me to my face ! 

Filippo. 
No, my lord, I never spare your lordship to your 
lordship's face, nor behind your lordship's back, nor 



96 THE FALCON. 

to right, nor to left, nor to round about and back 
to your lordship's face again, for I'm honest, your 
lordship. 

Count. 
Come, come, Filippo, what is there in the larder? 
[Elisabetta crosses to fireplace and puts on wood. 

Filippo. 
Shelves and hooks, shelves and hooks, and when 
I see the shelves I am like to hang myself on the 
hooks. 

Count. 
No bread ? 

Filippo. 
Half a breakfast for a rat ! 

Count. 
Milk? 



THE FALCON. 97 

FlLIPPO. 

Three laps for a cat ! 

Count. 
Cheese ? 

Filippo. 

A supper for twelve mites. 

Count. 

Eggs? 

Filippo. 
One, but addled. 

Count. 
No bird? 

Filippo. 

Half a tit and a hern's bill. 

Count. 
Let be thy jokes and thy jerks, man ! Anything 
or nothing? 



93 THE FALCON. 

Filippo. 

Well, my lord, if all -but -nothing be anything, 
and one plate of dried prunes be all-but-nothing, 
then there is anything in your lordship's larder at 
your lordship's service, if your lordship care to call 
for it. 

Count. 

Good mother, happy was the prodigal son, 
For he return'd to the rich father ; I 
But add my poverty to thine. And all 
Thro' following of my fancy. Pray thee make 
Thy slender meal out of those scraps and shreds 
Filippo spoke of. As for him and me, 
There sprouts a salad in the garden still. 
(To the Falcon.) Why didst thou miss thy quarry 
yester-even ? 



THE FALCON. 99 

To-day, my beauty, thou must dash us down 
Our dinner from the skies. Away, Filippo ! 

[Exit, followed by Filippo. 

Elisabetta. 
I knew it would come to this. She has beggared 
him. I always knew it would come to this ! ( Goes 
tip to table as if to resume darning, and looks out of 
window) Why, as I live, there is Monna Giovanna 
coming down the hill from the castle. Stops and 
stares at our cottage. Ay, ay ! stare at it : it's all 
you have left us. Shame upon you ! She beauti- 
ful ! sleek as a miller's mouse ! Meal enough, 
meat enough, well fed ; but beautiful — bah ! Nay, 
see, why she turns down the path through our little 
vineyard, and I sneezed three times this morning. 
Coming to visit my lord, for the first time in her 



ioo THE FALCON. 

life too ! Why, bless the saints ! I'll be bound to 
confess her love to him at last. I forgive her, I 
forgive her ! I knew it would come to this — I 
always knew it must come to this ! {Going up to 
door during latter part of speech and opens it.) 
Come in, Madonna, come in. (Retires to front of 
table and curtseys as the Lady Giovanna e?iters, 
then moves chair towards the hearth.) Nay, let me 
place this chair for your ladyship. 

[Lady Giovanna moves slowly down stage, then 
crosses to chair, looking about her, bows as she 
sees the Madonna over fi?'eplace, then sits in 

chair. 

Lady Giovanna. 

Can I speak with the Count ? 

Elisabetta. 
Ay, my lady, but won't you speak with the old 

woman first, and tell her all about it and make her 



THE FALCON. 101 

happy ? for I've been on my knees every day for 
these half-dozen years in hope that the saints would 
send us this blessed morning ; and he always took 
you so kindly, he always took the world so kindly. 
When he was a little one, and I put the bitters on 
my breast to wean him, he made a wry mouth at 
it, but he took it so kindly, and your ladyship has 
given him bitters enough in this world, and he 
never made a wry mouth at you, he always took 
you so kindly — which is more than I did, my lady, 
more than I did — and he so handsome — and bless 
your sweet face, you look as beautiful this morning 
as the very Madonna her own self — and better late 
than never— but come when they will — then or 
now — it's all for the best, come when they will — 
they are made by the blessed saints — these mar- 
riages. [Raises her hands. 



102 THE FALCON. 

Lady Giovanna. 
Marriages ? I shall never marry again ! 

Elisabetta {rises and turns). 
Shame on her then ! 

Lady Giovanna. 

Where is the Count ? 

Elisabetta. 

Just gone 

To fly his falcon. 

Lady Giovanna. 

Call him back and say 
I come to breakfast with him. 

Elisabetta. 

Holy mother ! 

To breakfast ! Oh sweet saints ! one plate of prunes ! 

Well, Madam, I will give your message to him. 

[Exit. 






THE FALCON. 103 

Lady Giovanna. 
His falcon, and I come to ask for his falcon, 
The pleasure of his eyes— boast of his hand — 
Pride of his heart — the solace of his hours — 
His one companion here — nay, I have heard 
That, thro' his late magnificence of living 
And this last costly gift to mine own self, 

[S/iows diamond necklace. 
He hath become so beggar'd, that his falcon 
Ev'n wins his dinner for him in the field. 
That must be talk, not truth, but truth or talk, 
How can I ask for his falcon ? 

[Rises and moves as she speaks. 
O my sick boy ! 
My daily fading Florio, it is thou 
Hath set me this hard task, for when I say 
What can I do — what can I get for thee ? 



104 THE FALCON, 

He answers, "Get the Count to give me his 

falcon, 
And that will make me well." Yet if I ask, 
He loves me, and he knows I know he loves me ! 
Will he not pray me to return his love — 
To marry him?— (pause) — I can never marry him. 
His grandsire struck my grandsire in a brawl 
At Florence, and my grandsire stabb'd him there. 
The feud between our houses is the bar 
I cannot cross ; I dare not brave my brother, 
Break with my kin. My brother hates him, 

scorns 
The noblest-natured man alive, and I — 
Who have that reverence for him that I scarce 
Dare beg him to receive his diamonds back — 
How can I, dare I> ask him for his falcon ? 

[Puts diamonds in her casket. 



THE FALCON. 105 

Re-enter Count and Filippo. Count turns 
to Filippo. 

Count. 
Do what I said ; I cannot do it myself. 

Filippo. 
Why then, my lord, we are pauper'd out and out. 

Count. 
Do what I said ! [Advances and bows low. 

Welcome to this poor cottage, my dear lady. 

Lady Giovanna. 
And welcome turns a cottage to a palace. 

Count. 
Tis long since we have met ! 

Lady Giovanna. 

To make amends 

I come this day to break my fast with you. 



106 THE FALCON. 

Count. 
I am much honour'd — yes — [Turns to Filippo. 
Do what I told thee. Must I do it myself? 

Filippo. 
I will, I will. (Sighs.) Poor fellow ! [Exit. 

Count. 
Lady, you bring your light into my cottage 
Who never deign'd to shine into my palace. 
My palace wanting you was but a cottage ; 
My cottage, while you grace it, is a palace. 

Lady Giovanna. 
In cottage or in palace, being still 
Beyond your fortunes, you are still the king 
Of courtesy and liberality. 

Count. 
I trust I still maintain my courtesy ; 



THE FALCON. 107 

My liberality perforce is dead 
Thro' lack of means of giving. 

Lady Giovanna. 

Yet I come 
To ask a gift. [Moves toward him a little. 

Count. 
It will be hard, I fear, 
To find one shock upon the field when all 
The harvest has been carried. 

Lady Giovanna. 

But my boy — 

{Aside.) No, no ! not yet— I cannot ! 



Count. 

Ay, how is he, 

That bright inheritor of your eyes— your boy ? 



io8 THE FALCON. 

Lady Giovanna. 
Alas, my Lord Federigo, he hath fallen 
Into a sickness, and it troubles me. 

Count. 
Sick ! is it so ? why, when he came last year 
To see me hawking, he was well enough : 
And then I taught him all our hawking-phrases. 

Lady Giovanna. 
Oh yes, and once you let him fly your falcon. 

Count. 
How charm'd he was ! what wonder? — A gallant boy, 
A noble bird, each perfect of the breed. 

Lady Giovanna {sinks in chair). 
What do you rate her at ? 

Count. 

My bird ? a hundred 



THE FALCON. 109 

Gold pieces once were ofter'd by the Duke. 
I had no heart to part with her for money. 

Lady Giovanna. 
No, not for money. [Count turns away and sighs. 
Wherefore do you sigh ? 

Count. 
I have lost a friend of late. 

Lady Giovanna. 

I could sigh with you 
For fear of losing more than friend, a son ; 
And if he. leave me — all the rest of life — 
That wither'd wreath were of more worth to me. 

[Looking at wreath on wall. 

Count. 
That wither'd wreath is of more worth to me 



no THE FALCON. 

Than all the blossom, all the leaf of this 
New-wakening year. [Goes and takes down wreath. 

Lady Giovanna. 

And yet I never saw 
The land so rich in blossom as this year. 

Count [holding wreath toward her). 
Was not the year when this was gather'd richer ? 

Lady Giovanna. 
How long ago was that ? 

Count. 

Alas, ten summers ! 
A lady that was beautiful as day 
Sat by me at a rustic festival 
With other beauties on a mountain meadow, 
And she was the most beautiful of all ; 
Then but fifteen, and still as beautiful. 



THE FALCON. m 

The mountain flowers grew thickly round about. 

I made a wreath with some of these ; I ask'd 

A ribbon from her hair to bind it with ; 

I whisper'd, Let me crown you Queen of Beauty, 

And softly placed the chaplet on her head. 

A colour, which has colour'd all my life, 

Flush'd in her face ; then I was calPd away ; 

And presently all rose, and so departed. 

Ah ! she had thrown my chaplet on the grass, 

And there I found it. 

[Lets his hands fall \ holding wreath despondingly. 

Lady Giovanna {after pause). 

How long since do you say? 

Count. 
That was the very year before you married. 



ii2 THE FALCON. 

Lady Giovanna. 
When I was married you were at the wars. 

Count. 
Had she not thrown my chaplet on the grass, 
It may be I had never seen the wars. 

\Replaces wreath whence he had taken it. 

Lady Giovanna. 
Ah, but, my lord, there ran a rumour then 
That you were kill'd in battle. I can tell you 
True tears that year were shed for you in Florence. 

Count. 
It might have been as well for me. Unhappily 
I was but wounded by the enemy there 
And then imprison'd. 



THE FALCON. 113 

Lady Giovanna. 

Happily, however, 
I see you quite recover'd of your wound. 

Count. 
No, no, not quite, Madonna, not yet, not yet. 

Re-enter Filippo. 

Filippo. 
My lord, a word with you. 

Count. 

Pray, pardon me ! 

[Lady Giovanna crosses, and passes behind chair 
and takes down wreath ; then goes to chair by 
table. 

Count (to Filippo). 
What is it, Filippo ? 



ii 4 THE FALCON. 

FlLIPPO. 

Spoons, your lordship. 

Count. 

Spoons ! 

FlLIPPO. 

Yes, my lord, for wasn't my lady born with a 
golden spoon in her ladyship's mouth, and we 
haven't never so much as a silver one for the 
golden lips of her ladyship. 

Count. 
Have we not half a score of silver spoons ? 

FlLIPPO. 

Half o' one, my lord ! 

Count. 
How half of one ? 

FlLIPPO. 

I trod upon him even now, my lord, in my hurry, 
and broke him. 



THE FALCON. 115 

Count. 
And the other nine ? 

Filippo. 
Sold ! but shall I not mount with your lordship's 
leave to her ladyship's castle, in your lordship's and 
her ladyship's name, and confer with her ladyship's 
seneschal, and so ' descend again with some of her 
ladyship's own appurtenances ? 

Count. 
Why — no, man. Only see your cloth be clean. 

[Exit Filippo. 
Lady Giovanna. 
Ay, ay, this faded ribbon was the mode 
In Florence ten years back. What's here ? a scroll 
Pinn'd to the wreath. 

My lord, you have said so much 



n6 THE FALCOX. 

Of this poor wreath that I was bold enough 
To take it down, if but to guess what flowers 
Had made it ; and I find a written scroll 
That seems to run in rhymings. Might I read ? 

Count. 
Ay, if you will. 

Lady Giovanna. 

It should be if you can. 

{Reads.) "Dead mountain." Nay, for who could 

trace a hand 

So wild and staggering ? 

Count. 
This was penn'd, Madonna, 
Close to the grating on a winter morn 
In the perpetual twilight of a prison, 
When he that made it, having his right hand 
Lamed in the battle, wrote it with his left 



THE FALCON. 117 

Lady Giovanna. 

Oh heavens ! the very letters seem to shake 
With cold, with pain perhaps, poor prisoner ! Well, 
Tell me the words — or better — for I see 
There goes a musical score along with them, 
Repeat them to their music. 

Count. 

You can touch 
No chord in me that would not answer you 
In music. 

Lady Giovanna. 
That is musically said. 

[Count takes guitar. Lady Giovanna sits listen- 
ing with wreath in her hand, and quietly re- 
moves scroll and places it on table at the end of 
the song. 



n8 THE FALCON. 

Count (sings, playing guitar). 
" Dead mountain flowers, dead mountain-meadow 

flowers, 
Dearer than when you made your mountain gay, 
Sweeter than any violet of to-day, 
Richer than all the wide world-wealth of May, 
To me, tho' all your bloom has died away, 
You bloom again, dead mountain-meadow flowers." 

Enter Elisabetta with cloth. 

Elisabetta. 
A word with you, my lord ! 

Count (singing). 

" O mountain flowers ! " 



Elisabetta. 
A word, my lord ! (Louder). 



THE FALCON. 119 

Count {sings). 
" Dead flowers ! " 

Elisabetta. 

A word, my lord ! {Louder). 

Count. 
I pray you pardon me again ! 

[Lady Giovanna, looking at zvreath. 

Count {to Elisabetta.) 

What is it ? 
Elisabetta. 
My lord, we have but one piece of earthenware 
to serve the salad in to my lady, and that cracked! 

Count. 
Why then, that flower'd bowl my ancestor 
Fetch'd from the farthest east — we never use it 



i2o THE FALCON. 

For fear of breakage — but this day has brought 
A great occasion. You can take it, nurse ! 

Elisabetta. 

I did take it, my lord, but what with my lady's 

coming that had so flurried me, and what with the 

fear of breaking it, I did break it, my lord : it is 

broken ! 

Count. 

My one thing left of value in the world ! 

No matter ! see your cloth be white as snow ! 

• Elisabetta (pointing thro' window). 
White ? I warrant thee, my son, as the snow yonder 
on the very tip-top o' the mountain. 

Count. 
And yet to speak white truth, my good old mother, 
I have seen it like the snow on the moraine. 



THE FALCON. 121 

Elisabetta. 
How can your lordship say so ? There, my lord ! 

[Lays doth. 

my dear son, be not unkind to me. 

And one word more. [Going — returns. 

Count {touching guitar). 

Good ! let it be but one. 

Elisabetta. 
Hath she return'd thy love ? 

Count. 

Not yet ! 

Elisabetta. 

And will she ? 

Count {looking at Lady Giovanna). 

1 scarce believe it ! 



THE FALCON. 



Elisabetta. 
Shame upon her then ! [Exit. 

Count {sings.) 

" D»ad mountain flowers " 

Ah well, my nurse has broken 
The thread of my dead flowers, as she has broken 
My china bowl. My memory is as dead. 

[Goes a?id replaces guitar. 
Strange that the words at home with me so long 
Should fly like bosom friends when needed most. 
So by your leave if you would hear the rest, 
The writing. 

Lady Giovanna {holding wreath toward him). 
There ! my lord, you are a poet, 
And can you not imagine that the wreath, 
Set, as you say, so lightly on her head, 



THE FALCON. 123 

Fell with her motion as she rose, and she, 
A girl, a child, then but fifteen, however 
Flutter'd or flatter'd by your notice of her, 
Was yet too bashful to return for it ? 

Count. 
Was it so indeed ? was it so ? was it so ? 

[Leans forward to take wreath, and touches Lady 
Giovanna's/^^^, which shewithdraws hastily ; 
he places wreath on comer of chair. 

Lady Giovanna (with dignity). 
I did not say, my lord, that it was so ; 
I said you might imagine it was so. 

Enter Filippo with bowl of salad, which he places 
on table.. 

Filippo. 
Here's a fine salad for my lady, for tho' we have 



I2 4 THE FALCON. 

been a soldier, and ridden by his lordship's side, and 
seen the red of the battle-field, yet are we now drill- 
sergeant to his lordship's lettuces, and profess to be 
great in green things and in garden-stuff. 

Lady Giovanna. 
I thank you, good Filippo. [Exit Filippo. 

Enter Elisabetta with bird on a dish which she 
places on table. 

Elisabetta {close to table). 
Here's a fine fowl for my lady ; I had scant time 
to do him in. I hope he be not underdone, for we 
be undone in the doing of him. 

Lady Giovanna. 
I thank you, my good nurse. 



THE FALCON. 125 

Filippo {re-entering with plate of primes). 
And here are fine fruits for my lady — prunes, my 
lady, from the tree that my lord himself planted 
here in the blossom of his boyhood — and so I, 
Filippo, being, with your ladyship's pardon, and 
as your ladyship knows, his lordship's own foster- 
brother, would commend them to your ladyship's 

most peculiar appreciation. 

[Puts plate on table. 

Elisabetta. 
Filippo ! 

Lady Giovanna (Count leads her to talk). 
Will you not eat with me, my lord ? 

Count. 

I cannot, 

Not a morsel, not one morsel. I have broken 

My fast already. I will pledge you. Wine ! 

Filippo, wine ! 



126 THE FALCON. 

[Sits near table ; Filippo brings flask, fills the 
Count's goblet, then Lady Giovanna's; 
Elisabetta stands at the back of Lady 
Giovanna's chair. 

Count. 

It is but thin and cold, 

Not like the vintage blowing round your castle. 

We lie too deep down in the shadow here. 

Your ladyship lives higher in the sun. 

[They pledge each other and drink. 

Lady Giovanxa. 
If I might send you down a flask or two 

Of that same vintage ? There is iron in it. 

It has been much commended as a medicine. 

I give it my sick son, and if you be 

Not quite recover'd of your wound, the wine 

Might help you. None has ever told me yet 

The story of your battle and your wound. 



THE FALCON. 127 

Filippo {coming forward). 
I can tell you, my lady, I can tell you. 

Elisabetta. 
Filippo ! will you take the word out of your master's 

own mouth ? 

Filippo. 
Was it there to take ? Put it there, my lord. 

Count. 
Giovanna, my dear lady, in this same battle 

We had been beaten — they were ten to one. 

The trumpets of the fight had echo'd down, 

I and Filippo here had done our best, 

And, having passed unwounded from the field, 

Were seated sadly at a fountain side, 

Our horses grazing by us, when a troop, 

Laden with booty and with a flag of ours 

Ta'en in the fight 



128 THE FALCON. 



And kill'd- 



Say fifty 



Filippo ! 



Filippo. 
Ay, but we fought for it back, 

Elisabetta. 
Filippo ! 

Count. 

A troop of horse 



Filippo, 

Five hundred ! 

Count. 

Filippo. 
And we kill'd 'em by the score ! 

Elisabetta. 

Filippo. 
Well, well, well ! I bite my tongue. 



THE FALCON. 129 

Count. 
We may have left their fifty less by five. 
However, staying not to count how many, 
But anger' d at their flaunting of our flag, 
We mounted, and we dashed into the heart of 'em. 
I wore the lady's chaplet round my neck ; 
It served me for a blessed rosary. 
I am sure that more than one brave fellow owed 
His death to the charm in it. 

Elisabetta. 

Hear that, my lady ! 

Count. 
I cannot tell how long we strove before 
Our horses fell beneath us ; down we went 
Crush'd, hack'd at, trampled underfoot. The night, 
As some cold-manner'd friend may strangely do us 

K 



i 3 o THE FALCON 

The truest service, had a touch of frost 
That help'd to check the flowing of the blood. 
My last sight ere I swoon'd was one sweet face 
Crown'd with the wreath. That seem'd to come 

and go. 
They left us there for dead ! 

Elisabetta. 

Hear that, my lady !. 

Filippo. 
Ay, and I left two fingers there for dead. See, 
my lady ! (Showing his hand). 

Lady Giovanna. 
I see, Filippo ! 

Filippo. 



And I have small hope of the gentleman gout in 
my great toe. 



THE FALCON. 131 

Lady Giovanna. 
And why, Filippo ? [Smiling absently. 

Filippo. 
I left him there for dead too ! 

Elisabetta. 
She smiles at him — how hard the woman is ! 
My lady, if your ladyship were not 
Too proud to look upon the garland, you 
Would find it stain'd 

Count {rising). 

Silence, Elisabetta ! 

Elisabetta. 
Stain'd with the blood of the best heart that ever 
Beat for one woman. [Points to wreath o?i chair. 

Lady Giovanna {rising slowly). 
I can eat no more ! 



132 THE FALCON. 

Count. 
You have but trifled with our homely salad, 
But dallied with a single lettuce-leaf; 
Not eaten anything. 

Lady Giovanna. 

Nay, nay, I cannot. 

You know, my lord, I told you I was troubled. 

My one child Florio lying still so sick, 

I bound myself, and by a solemn vow, 

That I would touch no flesh till he were well 

Here, or else well in Heaven, where all is well. 

[Elisabetta clears table of bird and salad ; 
Filippo snatches up the plate of prunes and 
holds them to Lady Giovanna. 

Filippo. 
But the prunes, my lady, from the tree that his 

lordship 



THE FALCON. 133 

Lady Giovanna. 
Not now, Filippo. My lord Federigo, 
Can I not speak with you once more alone ? 

Count. 
You hear, Filippo ? My good fellow, go ! 

Filippo. 
But the prunes that your lordship 



El I SAB ETTA. 

Filippo ! 

Count. 
Ay, prune our company of thine own and go ! 

Elisabetta. 
Filippo ! 

Filippo {turning). 

Well, well ! the women ! \Exit. 



134 THE FALCON. 

Count. 
And thou too leave us, my dear nurse, alone. 

Elisabetta {folding up cloth and going). 
And me too ! Ay, the dear nurse will leave you 
alone ; but, for all that, she that has eaten the yolk 
is scarce like to swallow the shell. 

[Turns and curtseys stiffly to Lady Giovanna, 
then exit. Lady Giovanna takes out diamond 
necklace from casket. 

Lady Giovanna. 
I have anger'd your good nurse ; these old-world 

servants 
Are all but flesh and blood with those they serve. 
My lord, I have a present to return you, 
And afterwards a boon to crave of you. 



THE FALCON. 135 

Count. 
No, my most honour'd and long-worshipt lady, 
Poor Federigo degli Alberighi 
Takes nothing in return from you except 
Return of his affection — can deny 
Nothing to you that you require of him. 

Lady Giovanna. 
Then I require you to take back your diamonds — 

\Oj}ering necklace. 
I doubt not they are yours. No other heart 
Of such magnificence in courtesy 
Beats — out of heaven. They seem'd too rich a 

prize 
To trust with any messenger. I came 
In person to return them. \Count draws back. 

If the phrase 



136 THE FALCON. 

"Return" displease you, we will say — exchange them 
For your — for your 

Count {takes a step toward her and then back). 

For mine — and what of mine? 

Lady Giovanna. 

Well, shall we say this wreath and your sweet 

rhymes ? 

Count. 

But have you ever worn my diamonds ? 

Lady Giovanna. 

No! 

For that would seem accepting of your love. 
I cannot brave my brother — but be sure 
That I shall never marry again, my lord ! 

Count. 
Sure? 



Yes! 



THE FALCON. 137 

Lady Giovanna. 

Count. 
Is this your brother's order ? 

Lady Giovanna. 

No! 

For he would marry me to the richest man 

In Florence ; but I think you know the saying — 

" Better a man without riches, than riches without a 

man." 

Count. 

A noble saying — and acted on would yield 

A nobler breed of men and women. Lady, 

I find you a shrewd bargainer. The wreath 

That once you wore outvalues twentyfold 

The diamonds that you never deign'd to wear. 

But lay them there for a moment ! 



138 THE FALCON. 

[Points to table. Lady Giovanna places 

necklace on table. 

And be you 

Gracious enough to let me know the boon 

By granting which, if aught be mine to grant, 

I should be made more happy than I hoped 

Ever to be again. 

Lady Giovanna. 

Then keep your wreath, 
But you will find me a shrewd bargainer still. 
I cannot keep your diamonds, for the gift 
I ask for, to my mind and at this present 
Outvalues all the jewels upon earth. 

Count. 
It should be love that thus outvalues all. 
You speak like love, and yet you love me not. 
I have nothing in this world but love for you. 



THE FALCON. 139 

Lady Giovanna. 
Love ? it is love, love for my dying boy, 
Moves me to ask it of you. 

Count. 

What ? my time ? 

Is it my time ? Well, I can give my time 

To him that is a part of you, your son. 

Shall I return to the castle with you ? Shall I 

Sit by him, read to him, tell him my tales, 

Sing him my songs ? You know that I can touch 

The ghittern to' some purpose. 

Lady Giovanna. 

No, not that ! 
I thank you heartily for that — and you, 
I doubt not from your nobleness of nature, 
Will pardon me for asking what I ask. 



i 4 o THE FALCON. 

Count. 
Giovanna, dear Giovanna, I that once 
The wildest of the random youth of Florence 
Before I saw you — all my nobleness 
Of nature, as you deign to call it, draws 
From you, and from my constancy to you. 
No more, but speak. 

Lady Giovanna. 

I will. You know sick people, 
More specially sick children, have strange fancies, 
Strange longings; and to thwart them in their mood 
May work them grievous harm at times, may even 
Hasten their end. I would you had a son ! 
It might be easier then for you to make 
iVllowance for a mother — her — who comes 
To rob you of your one delight on earth. 



THE FALCON. 141 

How often has my sick boy yearn'd for this ! 
I have put him off as often ; but to-day 
I dared not — so much weaker, so much worse 
For last day's journey. I was weeping for him ; 
He gave me his hand : " I should be well again 
If the good Count would give me " 

Count. 

Give me. 

Lady Giovanna. 

His falcon. 



My falcon 



Count {starts back). 

Lady Giovanna. 
Yes, your falcon, Federigo ! 



Count. 
Alas, I cannot ! 



i 4 2 THE FALCON. 

Lady Giovanna. 

Cannot ? Even so ! 
I fear'd as much. O this unhappy world ! 
How shall I break it to him? how shall I tell him? 
The boy may die : more blessed were the rags 
Of some pale beggar-woman seeking alms 
For her sick son, if he were like to live, 
Than all my childless wealth, if mine must die. 
I was to blame — the love you said you bore me — 
My lord, we thank you for your entertainment, 

[ With a stately curtsey. 
And so return — Heaven help him ! — to our son. 

[Turns. 

Count {rushes forward). 
Stay, stay, I am most unlucky, most unhappy. 
You never had look'd in on me before, 



THE FALCON. 143 

And when you came and dipt your sovereign head 
Thro' these low doors, you ask'd to eat with me. 
I had but emptiness to set before you, 
No not a draught of milk, no not an egg, 
Nothing but my brave bird, my noble falcon, 
My comrade of the house, and of the field. 
She had to die for it — she died for you. 
Perhaps I thought with those of old, the nobler 
The victim was, the more acceptable 
Might be the sacrifice. I fear you scarce 
Will thank me for your entertainment now. 

Lady Giovanna {returning). 
I bear with him no longer. 

Count. 

No, Madonna ! 
And he will have to bear with it as he may. 



i 4 4 THE FALCON. 

Lady Giovanna. 
I break with him for ever ! 

Count. 

Yes, Giovanna, 

k But he will keep his love to you for ever ! 

Lady Giovanna. 

You ? you ? not you ! My brother ! my hard 
brother ! 

O Federigo, Federigo, I love you ! 

Spite of ten thousand brothers, Federigo. 

[Falls at his feet. 

Count {impetuously). 
Why then the dying of my noble bird 
Hath served me better than her living — then 

[Takes diamonds from table. 
These diamonds are both yours and mine — have won 



THE FALCON. 145 

Their value again — beyond all markets — there 
I lay them for the first time round your neck. 

[Lays necklace round her neck. 
And then this chaplet — No more feuds, but peace, 
Peace and conciliation ! I will make 
Your brother love me. See, I tear away 
The leaves were darken'd by the battle — 

[Pulls leaves off a?id throws them down. 
— crown you 
Again with the same crown my Queen of Beauty. 

[Places wreath on her head. 
Rise — I could almost think that the dead garland 
Will break once more into the living blossom. 
Nay, nay, I pray you rise. 

[Raises her with both hands. 
We two together 
Will help to heal your son — your son and mine — 

L 



i 4 6 THE FALCON. 

We shall do it— we shall do it. {Embraces her. 

The purpose of my being is accomplish'd, 
And I am happy ! 

Lady Giovanna. 

And I too, Federigo. 



THE END. 



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